Beer Trip: Scenes From San Diego's Beer Scene

Here's how any good trip to San Diego starts -- you touch down at San Diego International Airport, grab a car, head for any liquor store and pick up some Pizza Port Swami's IPA. Setting the tone for those West Coast IPA vibes.

Pizza Port Ocean Beach

Our first stop came with a lot of recommendations, Pizza Port's Ocean Beach location. Besides having killer pizza and plenty of dank West Coast IPAs, the spot is practically on the beach.

Half Door Brewing

After a number of local recommendations, we headed to the Gaslamp District to check out Half Door Brewing, a food-forward brew pub built into an old house. Great food, killer vibe and a surprising number of East Coast pales. When the West Coast has this many (pretty solid) hazy/juicy pale ales, that's a good sign we've hit full trend.

Coronado Brewing

Next, we hitched a ride over the bridge for a few pints at Coronado Brewing, including this Guava IPA.

Modern Times

And we ended the day with a nightcap at Modern Times.

Mikkeller San Diego

We started our second day in town with a 30 minute drive out to Mira Mesa, pulled into a non-descript business park, and walked into a taproom that felt like a little taste of Denmark. We kicked things off with Forste Fodseltag, an ale aged on cabernet franc grapes and brett, and Raspberry Blush, a berliner weisse with raspberry and coffee.

Duck Foot Brewing, Pure Project, Amplified Brewing, Council Brewing

Next, we stopped in at a brewery, bellied up to the bar and ask the locals what we should drink and where we should drink it. This led us to stops at Duck Foot Brewing (a gluten-free brewery with beer so good someone had to tell us was gluten free), Pure Project, Amplified Brewing, and Council Brewing.